[NHCOLL-L:3079] Re: Can Thermal Laser printers be used to produce labels in spirit jars?

[Mark O'Brien]

As far as I know, no thermal-printed labels are likely to last any length of
time ‹ they are designed for short-term labeling solutions.  They are not
archival, as there is no ink deposition, and even when not immersed in a
solution, fade after 5 years or so.  I do recommend the Lexmark ink-jet
printers (the cheap Z series), as the black inks do not dissolve in ethanol,
and after at least 6 years, no degradation of the labels has resulted,
unlike laser printers (which use a plastic/carbon matrix that is ³fused² to
the paper).  

Mark

On 5/23/06 1:49 AM, "Morris, Robert (SAM)" <Morris.Robert at saugov.sa.gov.au>
wrote:

> Dear List, 
> 
> We at the South Australian Museum have been experimenting with a Zebra thermal
> laser printer to produce permanent labels for insertion with specimens stored
> in 75% ethanol solution. We are currently using gloss white polypropylene
> stock but these seem to be degrading in the ethanol and as a result the
> printed information is also being lost. We have a feeling that if we can find
> the right stock we may be able to continue to use a thermal printer. Does
> anyone else use such a printer for this purpose and if so what stock and ink
> have you found that works? If not what methods are employed for labels
> destined for long term storage in ethanol solutions? We are lloking to
> automate the process rather than continue to hand write each label.
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> 
> Robert Morris 
> Head of Collections
> South Australian Museum
> Tel 08-8207 7455 
> Fax 08 8207 7222 
> 


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